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Comedian, actor Shane Gillis named ESPN College GameDay celebrity guest picker at Notre Dame vs. Indiana

Matt Connollyby:Matt Connolly•12/20/24•

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The College GameDay crew had a few things to say about South Carolina's matchup with Vanderbilt (Joshua R. Gateley / ESPN Images)
(Joshua R. Gateley / ESPN Images)

It is a busy weekend for ESPN College GameDay as the college football pregame show is taking place Friday afternoon in South Bend, before heading to Columbus to preview Saturday’s action.

ESPN College GameDay has announced that comedian and actor Shane Gillis will serve as the guest picker Friday afternoon ahead of the Indiana at Notre Dame game.

The Hoosiers and Irish are facing off in the first ever 12-team College Football Playoff game on Friday. This is also the first ever CFP game to be played on a school’s campus.

This is obviously a big deal, which is why College GameDay is holding two shows and bringing in a big-time comedian to discuss all of the action. The College GameDay show from South Bend will begin at 3:30 p.m. Friday.

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Saturday’s College GameDay show will take place at 9 a.m. in Columbus. The celebrity guest picker for the Ohio State vs. Tennessee game has yet to be announced by GameDay.

In addition to being a comedian and actor, Gillis also has a popular podcast. Gillis has appeared as a cast member on Saturday Night Live and has also hosted the show. Gillis is a Notre Dame fan and is obviously fired up for the Irish to be in the College Football Playoff.

Paul Finebaum identifies defense as key factor for Notre Dame to beat Indiana

The in-state battle between Notre Dame and Indiana is a great way to kick off the College Football Playoff.

There’s one aspect that’ll be the difference for in No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 10 Indiana in the opening game of the College Football Playoff, according to Paul Finebaum.

Finebaum quickly broke down the matchup between the Fighting Irish and Hoosiers while on ‘Get Up’ on Friday. Firstly, he went with Notre Dame in their important game since last making the playoff in 2020.

“I like Notre Dame,” said Finebaum on a panel this morning on ESPN. “I remember when Notre Dame wouldn’t even play bowl games. That’s why this is so significant if you’re a little bit older than EJ (Manuel).”

Again, there’s a lot to look at in this in-state matchup between programs separated by three and a half hours, yet the two who have not met in over three decades. That includes the weather tonight, with it set to snow at temperatures of 35° or less today on campus.

“There’s so many factors in this game, including snow on the ground right now in South Bend,” said Finebaum. “I don’t think that’s going to have a big factor on both northern schools.

“To me, Notre Dame’s defense is going to be the difference.”